Improvement in paper-collar machines



3 Sheets-Sheet 1. C. H. DENISON.

Paper-Collar Machine.

No. 222,023. Patented Nov; 25, 1879.

V 66 vs 5- l 4a 4 2 2 if? s so lbs s- N. PETERS, PHOTD-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, 41C.

3 Sheets--Sheet 2.

'GI H. DENISON.

Paper-Collar Machine.

Patent-ed Nov. 25,1879.

J Deni/saw,

N-PE|'ERS, PHDTO-UTHDGRAFHER. WASHINGTON. D. a

UNITED STATE PATENT 'FFToE.

CHARLES H. DENISO N, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN PAPER-COL LAR MACHINES- Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,023. dated November 25, 1879; application filed May 13, 1879. v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. DENISON, of Springfield, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Making Paper Collars; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to that class of machinery by which collars made from-paper, or paper and cloth combined, are embossed, creased for folding, the button-holes punched therein, and the ends partially formed by the vertical operation of a plunger while the material is in the strip or web and is passing beneath said plunger, and the embossed and punched collars cut therefrom by the operation of another plunger and knives connected and operating therewith, as will be more fully hereinafter described. I

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same midway its width. Fig. at is a reversed plan view of the plate having the embossing and creasing dies secured thereto. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line :0 of 4. Fig. .6 is a perspective view of one of the punches for punching the button-holes; and Fig. 7 is a plan of a portion of a strip or web of material, showing the cuts, holes, andincisions made by the punches, cutters, and knives, and illustrating the condition of the strip during the operation of the various mechanisms upon it.

The machine illustrated will first be particularly described in its various parts, and its operation will then be explained.

A frame, 100, has ways attached to it, in which a plunger, 101, is vertically reciprocated by means of adjustable rods 17, connected by eccentrics or cranks to a shaft, 10, that is rotated in a common manner. The embossing-dies 20, which are of a shape to emboss the lines (bl), (indicated in broken lines, Fig. 7,) and the creasing-dies 21, which are so shaped as to indent the folding-lines 0 d, Fig. 7, are fixed to a plate, 55, that is so attached to the plunger 101 as to be removable for conveuience of adjusting dies ofdifferent sizes thereto. (See Fig. 3, where the means of attachment are shown to be dovetailed slots cut into the plunger-face.)

A platen or bed, 102, fixed to the framework, supports upon its central portion counter embossing-dies 2 1 and counter creasingdies 25, and at opposite sides thereof the punches 51, for punching the button-holes in the strip of material, and the cutters 53, having triangular-shapedmale and female members, for partially shaping the end portions of the collar-blank-that is, to form a doubled edge of the end of the collar.

. The punches 51 are arranged in stocks 52, the right-angular bases of which support proper dies, and the' cutters 53 have their female members, with which their male cutters shear,

supported by a stock, 4, to the rear end of l which the vibrating swing-seated arm carrying the male member 5 is pivoted. Both the stocks 52 and 4 are so arranged as to be fixedly adjustable in slots 54, made in the platen or bed 102, so that the punches 51 and cutters 53 may be adjusted at any desired distance apart, and it may be toward and from the counter-dies 24 25, said stocks being secured rigidly in place by thumbscrews 27. The embossing and creasing counter-dies 24 25 rest loosely upon the' platen or'bed 102, being held in place by the forward end of the base of the stock 52 of the central one of the punches 51.

The punches 51 are operated as follows The former each have a lug, 9, projecting from the projecting from said stems and overhanging the said plunger, bears upon its upper surface. The said punches are thus secured to the plunger 101 and forced to move up and down with it as it is reciprocated. The cutters 53 are operated by contact of the under surface of the plunger 101 in its downward stroke with studs 1, projecting from their vibrating arms, their springs causing said arm to rise as the plunger moves upward. The depressing and rais-. in g of the punches 51 and the male members of the cutters 53 are thus positively and automaticall y accomplished, no matter to what position said punches and cutters are adjusted on the bed; and as the punches and dies and male and female cutters are carried in a common stock, no separate or relative adjustment of them will be required.

The central punches 52 consist simply of a button -hole punch and die; but the end punches 52 have, in addition to their button hole punches and dies, a die, 10, and counter-die 26, which dies and counter-dies are so shaped as to remove the pieces m, Fig. 7, necessary to shape the end of the neck-band of the collar.

The mechanisms thus far described perform the preliminary operations of creasing, embossing, punching the button-holes in two collars, and partially cutting out the waste parts from the strip at suitable points to separate the neck-bands of said collars. The finishing operations of sev'ering'the strip longitudinally by a curved line that shall separate the collarblanks widthwise are performed by a cutting mechanism now to be described.

The cutting mechanism is mounted upon an adjustable table, which is composed of aswinging plate, 35, and a sliding plate, 34, which plates are supported by a bed-piece, 103, that is attached to the frame 100. The plate 34 Slides longitudinally in ways upon the table 103, its position 'of such adjustment being determined by a clamp-screw, 59, and the plate 35 swings upon a pivotal screw-bolt which carries a clamp-nut, 36, that secures said plate 35 fixedly in its adjusted position. From the plate 35 rise suitable standards, which support a bed, 37, to which are directly fixed the cutting mechanisms.

The main or longitudinal severing-knife 39 is secured by screws 40 to a plunger, 38, which vertically reciprocates in ways or guides secured to the plate 35 and bed 37. This knife 39, made of a flexible plate of steel, is bent, curved, or inclined midway its length, so thatits face forms a double curve or incline, starting at the center and extending toward both ends. Its cutting-edge is curved or inclined upward from the center in opposite directions or toward each end, so that its lowermost point is midway its length. Said knife cofoperates with a stationary cutting-plate, 41, also made of sheet-steel, which is attached to an adjustable block or support fastened by screws 7 to the surface of the bed 37. This cutting-plate 4] while its cuttin g-face is curved or inclined from its center outward toward each end to conform to the corresponding shape of the knife 39, presents its cuttingedge in a horizontal plane, or nearly so.

It is to be observed that the conformation of the knife 39 may be such that the line it is to sever will be a double curve, such as is shown, or approximating thereto, or simply angular lines inclined outwardly from a central point, andthat while the cutting-plate has a cutting-face conforming to that of the knife, its cutting-edge may slightly devlate from a horizontal line so long as it occuthe one against the other.

gins at the center of each process, in opposite directions, and terminates at the ends of each.

The knife 39 is held against the blade 41, so that the conjoint action of the two shall accomplish a clean, sharp, shearing cut in oppo site directions from their central point by means of the elasticity of the thin steel plates composing them and the lateral pressure of This knife and blade thus accomplish the cuts, a, necessary to divide the strip of paper longitudinally and form the outer edges of the collar proper, which, as is well known, require to be clean and without a feathered or otherwise roughened edge.

7 The plunger 38 may be reciprocated vertically by any common means properly timed. As here shown, it receives such motion from a rock-shaft, 68, (shown as moved by a lever, 60, but which will, of course, be rocked automatically,) and a suitable rock-arm, 11, and connecting means secured to said plunger.

The blades for accomplishing the cuts widthwise of the strip of blanks are arranged in two sets. Of one set the fixed shear-blade 42 is secured to the end of the block supporting the cutting-plate 41, it being made in the form of a right-angled piece, held in place by screws, as 6. To this blade 42 is pivoted the movable shear-blade 43, whose rearwardly-extendin g arm is connected with arock-arm on the shaft 45 by a link, 44, of the other set. The fixed shear-blade 46 is secured to a block or support, 45, that is removably fastened to the bed 37 by screws, which blade 46 has pivoted to its outer end the movable shear-blade 47, that coacts with it. Motion is imparted to this blade 47 from the rock-shaft 45 by means of a lever, 21, connected to the rock-arm 11 and to the extended arm of the blade 47. The movement of the rock-shaft 45' thus-moves the plunger 38, carrying the blade 39 and the blades 43 47 simultaneously.

The feeding mechanism, whereby the strip from which the collars are formed is properly and automatically advanced at regular intervals, is supported mainly upon a table, 50, that is interposed between the embossing, creasing, and punching mechanisms and the cutting mechanisms. This table is supported by standards 49 from the bed 103, and its surface is in the same horizontal plane, or nearly so, as that occupied by-the counter embossing, creasing, and punching dies, so that thestrip, after being embossed, creased, and punched, may be carried onward to the cutting-mechanism without obstruction.

The feeding mechanism proper consists of a feed-bar, 30, that is carried at the end of a slide, 12. From this bar 30 rises a frame, 13, which supports a spring-seated lever, 31, the

' and carry it forward.

lower end of which lever bears upon the feed bar 30, the construction being such that when the slide is moved rearward the lever will slide over the material to be fed, and when it moves forward will clamp the same upon the bar 30 The slide 12 plays in a groove or guideway, 48, cut centrally in the table 50 and extended rearwardly over the bed-plate 102,-where it has the form of a casing, 28, upon which the central parts of the counter embossing and creasing dies are supported. From the forward end of this slide extends an auxiliary feed-bar, 66, carrying a spring-seated lever, 14, constructed and operated as is the lever 31. A horizontal reciprocation is given to this slide 12 and its appurtenances by means of a shaft, 32, that is suitably and timely rocked in any common manner. Upon this rock-shaft there is afeed-wheel, 33, which may be connected with the slide 12 by two thin flexible bandsone band, 2,coiled around the wheel 33 in one direction, with one end secured to said wheel and the other end secured to the slidenear one end, and the other band, 3, coiled around the wheel 33 in the opposite direction, one end being secured to the wheel and the other end to the opposite end of the. slide 12. I This feed-wheel might be a toothed wheel engaging a rack-bar placed on the under side of the slide 12. Any other common means of connecting the two which will operate in'a similar manner may be employed, so that a rocking movement of the shaft 32 and wheel 33 will longitudinally reciprocate the slide 12 and feeding devices connected to it.

In order that the strip, while the cutting operation is being performed upon it, may be firmly held in place, I have provided a clamping mechanism, which consists of vibrating arms 23 57. The arm 23 is carried at the end of a rock-shaft, 22, and the arm 57 at the end of a rock-shaft, 59, which rock-shafts, suitably journaled to the table 50 and bed 34, are connected together by linked arms 62 63, and vibrated simultaneously by means of a rocking lever, 61, and a suitable actuating mechanism, (not shown,) and which may be of common construction. These arms 23 57 are thus automatically pressed down upon the paper when it reaches the. extent of its forward feed, and, pressing thereon, firmly hold the same while the cutting is being accomplished, said arms then being raised to permit the unobstructed forward feed of the paper.

The operation is as follows: A strip of paper of suitable width to form two collars side by side, or juxtaposed, as is shown in Fig. 7, is wound upon a drum or shaft, passed under guides 7 0 70 71 71, and through the openings 29 29 in the frame 100, its leading end being introduced under the lever 31 of the feed-bar 30 when the latter is in its rearmost position. The strip thus lies between the counter embossing and creasing dies, as well as the dies of the punches 51 and female members of the cutters 53 and their corresponding members, and is in a proper position to be operated upon. The plunger 101 then descends, and the said dies andcu'tters operate to emboss the lines a and b, indent or crease thelines c d, to punch the button-holes e f g h i j, to remove the pieces, as m m m m, and to cut the incisions k l, the removal of which pieces m and the incision k or Z. shape the ends of the re-enforcing end laps, 00. As the platen rises motion is communicated to the feed-slide 12, and the partlytreated strip is fed forward a suitable distance. In this forward movement of the slide 12 the lever 31 is pressed by its spring onto the strip, so as to clamp the same onto the bar 30, thus seizing it firmly and causing it to move forward a distance equal to the throw of the slide 12, which is the length of a single collar. This feed of the strip brings its leading portion in proper time and in correct position-between the cutting mechanisms, whereupon the rock-shafts 22 59 operate to cause the arms 57 and 23 to clamp the paper firmly while the cutting operation is performed. The rockshaft 45 is then vibrated to depress the said cutting mechanism, the operation of which is as follows:

The knife 39 co-operates with the blade 41 to make a cut on the line a, the movable shearblade 43 co operates with the blade 42 to make a cut on the line 0, and the movable shearblade'47 co-operates with the blade 46 to make a cut on the line 19, which cuts on the lines'n o p sever two collars, as q a", from the strip, and leave the ends of the succeeding two collars, as s t, projecting at diifereut distances at the end of the strip, the end of the collar 8 being clamped by the lever 14, and the end of the collar t by the lever 31. The slides 12 66 then move rearward, their springseated levers 14 31 dragging over the strip without imparting any movement to it. The vibrating clampingarms 23 .57 then rise to release the strip, and the cutting-knife 39 and blades 43 and 47 are raised to repeat their operation. The described operations are then repeated.

The cutting mechanism will, preferably, be separated from the embossing, creasing, and punching mechanism a distance equal-to the length of a collar, so that at each operation of the mechanisms there will be a portion of the strip partially completed which overlies the table 50, and is consequently not operated upon at the time while two collars at its rear are being punched, embossed, creased, &c.,

and two collars in advance of it are being cut from the strip.

It will be observed that the button-hole punches and the cutters 53 are capable of longitudinal adjustment; that the embossing and creasing dies and counter-dies are removable, and may be exchanged for others of different size; that the knives 39 41 and the shear-blades 43 42 and 47 46 are removable and exchangeable for others, and that the throw of the feeding-slides may be varied. Thus, by suitable adjustment of the parts, collars of various sizes may be produced upon the saine machine.

What is claimed is-.

l. A cutting mechanism consisting of a flexible knife, as 89, whose vertical face is curved or inclined in opposite directions from the center, and whose cutting-edge is curved or inclined upward in opposite directions from the center, with which is combined a cuttingplate, as 41, having a horizontal cutting-edge and a cutting-face curved or inclined in opposite directions from its center,substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the knife 39 and plate 41, of the shear-blades 43 42, arranged at the end and one side of said knife and plate, and the shear-blades 47 46, arranged at the center and opposite side thereof, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the plunger 101, embossing-dies 20 24, creasingdies 21 25, and punches 51, whereby at each descent of they plunger two collars are embossed, creased for folding, and have their button-holes punched,

substantially as described.

4; The combination of the reciprocating slide 12, spring-seated-levers 31 and 14, and actuating-wheel 33, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the puncheslO 26, cutters 53, knife 39, plate 41, and shear-blades 43 42 and 47 46, whereby a strip .of paper is severed into collar-blanks, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the cutting mechanism, of the clamping-arms 23 57, substan tially as described.

, In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

O. H. DENISON. Witnesses H. T. MUNsoN, GEO. H. GRAHAM. 

